Sign Language Here, There, and Everywhere
Thursday, October 12, 2023 at 10:30 AM
Lansing Community Library, Lansing, NY
For all ages. Learn basic American Sign Language and find out more about sign languages around the world through interactive stories, songs, and more. Presented by Kathy MacMillan, author of the Little Hands Signing series.
Upcoming FREE classes offered through Carroll County Public Library!
Little Hands Signing brings the magic of sign language to you and your child through age-appropriate stories, songs, activities, and games, along with tips and tricks for caregivers on using signs in everyday activities. Each theme-based class will introduce and reinforce signs from a young child’s world. Because our classes use American Sign Language, you and your child can learn another language together, with benefits to last a lifetime. Best of all, it’s so much fun, you won’t even realize you’re learning!
6400 West Hemlock Drive, Eldersburg, MD 21784
All are welcome! Programs are geared to ages birth to 6. Children 3 and under must be accompanied by an adult caregiver.
Programs are free and no registration is required. For more information, see library.carr.org
Upcoming FREE classes offered through Carroll County Public Library
Little Hands Signing brings the magic of sign language to you and your child through age-appropriate stories, songs, activities, and games, along with tips and tricks for caregivers on using signs in everyday activities. Each theme-based class will introduce and reinforce signs from a young child’s world. Because our classes use American Sign Language, you and your child can learn another language together, with benefits to last a lifetime. Best of all, it’s so much fun, you won’t even realize you’re learning! Drop-in classes (no registration required)
6400 West Hemlock Drive
Eldersburg, MD 21784
(410) 795-3520
Baby Class (for ages birth-24 months with adult): Select Fridays at 9:45 AM (see dates below)
Preschooler Class (for ages 2-6 with adult): Select Fridays at 10:45 AM (see dates below)
2265 Old Westminster Pike
Finksburg, MD 21048
410.386.4505
Baby Class (for ages birth-24 months with adult): Select Fridays at 9:45 AM (see dates below)
Preschooler Class (for ages 2-6 with adult): Select Fridays at 11:00 AM (see dates below)
For more information, see library.carr.org
by Kathy MacMillan and Christine Kirker. (ALA Editions, 2011)
This time-saving program planner for librarians and classroom teachers 
alike includes everything you need to get started—reading lists, flannelboard patterns, poems, songs, easy crafts, even take-home activities to extend the learning process. The many creative ideas packed inside include:
Both veterans and novices will find plenty to help make kindergarten days richer, more rewarding, and more fun. Order your copy today and pick up tips for your school, preschool and library!
The Australian Library Journal says: “Kindergarten Magic provides a time-saving, idea-promoting framework for kindergarten library lessons with an emphasis on fun and interaction…This book would be an excellent addition to a school librarian’s collection to complement lesson planning and allow for quick ideas when faced with a spontaneous lesson. In addition, public library children’s librarians would find this resource useful to assist in creative ways to build library skills into storytime sessions.” Read the full review.
Order now from the Deaf Camps, Inc. Online Bookstore (autographed copies that support a great cause!) or at the ALA Store.
Free storytime resources from Kathy MacMillan and Christine Kirker.
by Kathy MacMillan and Christine Kirker. (ALA Editions, 2009)
Enriching and supplementing storytelling programs with fingerplays, flannelboards, and other props will be a cinch thanks to this generous sampling of art and craft ideas, songs, sign language and action rhymes.
This time-saving resource includes:
A unique addition to the programming shelf, this treasure trove of storytime tools is designed to help veteran librarians refresh and enliven ongoing programs, while providing novice storytime planners what they need to get started!
The Australian Library Journal says: ”Organised into chapters based on 16 themes, it is easy for the reader to find a story and associated activity to bring storytimes to life. Although written for librarians, the chosen themes follow topics common to many units of work in early education, and the stories and activities could easily be adapted by teachers to enhance either an integrated or trans-disciplinary unit of work.” Read the full review.
Teacher Librarian says: “There are lots of ideas here on common themes both in the real world and the world of imagination.”
School Library Journal says: “Both new and veteran storytellers will appreciate this book.” Read the full review.
Reviewer Sarah Deringer says: “If you’re a school librarian or a children’s librarian in need of story time activities, this is a go-to book. It includes the advertised fingerplays and flannelboard as well as rhymes, sign language, lists of books to read with each story subject, lots of different themes / subjects, crafts, and more! If you ever need an idea for a story time, I highly suggest you read this book!” Read the full review.
Order now from the Deaf Camps, Inc. Online Bookstore (autographed copies that support a great cause!) or at the ALA Store.
Free storytime resources from Kathy MacMillan and Christine Kirker.
by Kathy MacMillan. (ALA Editions, 2009)
Children’s programming made easy. Really easy.
What librarian doesn’t dream of offering more and better children’s programs with less effort? In Maryland’s Carroll County, story boxes have made this impossible dream come true for twenty years. Now Kathy MacMillan outlines the proven story box system for sharing an array of successful programs. Including step-by-step instructions from concept through implementation and supplemented by programming tips, A Box Full of Tales also offers detailed plans for 50 great story boxes,including suggested books, fingerplays, songs, props, crafts, and sign language.
Library Journal says: “The idea of story boxes to share program resources is brilliant—so much so that it’s a wonder that it is not a more prevalent practice…Even children’s librarians who don’t work in multibranch systems will find this guide extremely valuable for its theme-based program outlines, whether or not they choose to create story boxes.” Read the full review.
Order now from the Deaf Camps, Inc. Online Bookstore (autographed copies that support a great cause!) or at the ALA Store.
by Kathy MacMillan (Scarecrow Press, 2006)
A user-friendly guide for librarians and other personnel involved in library programming. From how to set up sign language programming for all ages to dealing with interpreters, publicizing programming to the public and the deaf community, and evaluating and improving the library’s sign language collection, Kathy MacMillan speaks with the voice of experience. She excels at dispelling the numerous myths surrounding deafness and sign language…this handbook is an indispensable tool for all library personnel looking to reach out to the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.
Reference and Research Book News says: “…guides library programming personnel through the common pitfalls of new learners of ASL and the background knowledge necessary to introduce ASL in context, and offers practical information on establishing community partnerships, working with interpreters, and marketing programs. The text also includes sample programs for all ages-baby, toddler, preschool, elementary and middle school, and family programs-annotated bibliographies of ASL resources and materials to use with sign language, games and crafts for ASL programs, a glossary of terms relating to sign language and deafness, and a visual glossary of commonly used storytime signs.”
Order now from the Deaf Camps, Inc. Online Bookstore (autographed copies that support a great cause!) or at amazon.com.
This non-profit organization helps libraries access a huge collection of ASL videos, and its website has something to offer everyone: video reviews, articles, and links to many sources of information. Check out the “Where can I find ASL videos?” link to find out if a public library near you owns the ASL Access collection.
Stories by Hand 